ARC (Advanced Reader Copy), Autobiography, Nonfiction

Soundtrack of Silence, by Matt Hay

Kristie

The amount of challenges a body can endure is pretty remarkable. In Soundtrack of Silence, author Matt Hay takes us through his journey with NF2 (Neurofibromatosis, Type 2,) a rare disorder that has affected him throughout his life, robbing him of his hearing, causing facial paralysis, and tampering periodically with his mobility and balance.

Even more amazing is the human spirit, something that Matt has curated and strengthened while dealing with NF2, empowering him with a drive to move forward instead of wallow, and to share his story with a mixture of humor and wisdom.

This is an advanced copy that I’ve had for a while and, like so many other memorable books, appeared in my mood reading queue at just the right time. Here, at the beginning of a new year, where starting fresh and making resolutions is the norm, it was fascinating to read about someone whose medical challenges have necessitated that he make life resets in abundance. RE-solutions, or “solving again,” facing old challenges packaged in new ways with determination, is a pattern in which both Matt and his incredible wife, Nora, have become veterans.

Simply put, NF2 is a (usually) genetic condition in which benign tumors grow along nerves. For Matt, the tumors’ location affects sound to effectively reach the brain. Confronting the removal of these tumors, which keep returning, is one thing. Recovery is another. The possibility of new medical issues arising from each surgery is something else. Factor in the strain on mental health, finances, and family, and this man has not had it easy.

So where does the soundtrack fit in? Despite grappling with sub par hearing most of his life, Matt Hay adores music. Melodies, lyrics, and the marriage of these elements with the right voice and instruments have sustained him in a formidable way. It may seem unfair that someone who loves music so much has struggled to hear it, but that struggle has also created insight and opportunity at different times. One of those tender mercies whose purpose unfolds when you least expect it.

This is an important book which will yield different takeaways for different readers. Some will feel inspired by Matt Hay’s dogged determination, some might decide to finally have their hearing checked, and still others will use his story as a way to put their own difficulties into perspective. Whatever the reason, it’s a book worth reading with an author worth knowing. 

9/10 Stars for the writing, but 10/10 for the inspiring story. You can visit Matt Hay’s website at: https://hearmatthay.com/

Reading Wrap Up

December 2023 Reading Wrap Up!

Kristie

I’m still playing catch up from the end of last year, so here are my reads from December 2023. The ones that had the most impact on me have already been addressed on the blog, either in written or video form. I highly, highly recommend Signs of Life, Divine Rivals (plus its sequel Ruthless Vows,) and How To Be Remembered.

Happy Reading!

Fantasy, Fiction

Divine Rivals & Ruthless Vows, by Rebecca Ross

Kristie

I should really know better than to blatantly say “I’m not a fantasy reader.” Because, apparently, I AM a fantasy reader. It was just a matter of finding the right author. Rebecca Ross is that author.

Let me try and explain for those who also say they are not readers of fantasy, but perhaps like the Harry Potter series, like myself. What do Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling’s writing have in common with Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows? Fantastic characters who leap off the page. Beautiful, lyrical writing. Incredible word use and word economy, meaning that her metaphor choices are unique and she never seems to describe anything too much or too little. Plots and subplots which address important things like relationships, family, war, freedom of the press, the abuse of power, and so many other things that are both timeless and relatable.

Now that I have your attention, I’ll introduce you to the characters. While a war is being waged between two gods, a local newspaper called the Oath Gazette reports on the battles. In Divine Rivals we meet young journalists Iris Winnow, who is poor but talented, and Roman Kitt, who is educated and from a prominent family. At work, they are both vying for a single promotion. At home, they are secret pen pals, each using an enchanted typewriter handed down to them by their respective grandmothers. Ruthless Vows takes us deeper into the gods’ war, testing allegiances and letting unlikely heroes emerge.

I’m being purposefully vague. The reason being that these are two very special books that you need to discover yourself. There is no graphic language, sex, or violence, proof again of Rebecca Ross’ masterful, magnificent writing. I am just sitting here, shaking my head, knowing that nothing I say here can do them justice. They are beloved for a reason and Rebecca Ross, you have a new admirer.

10/10 very worthy stars for this duology.

Fiction, Magical Realism

How To Be Remembered, by Michael Thompson

Kristie

“Although 5 January was almost a year away, the Reset hung over him like a guillotine blade, glinting dully as a constant reminder that everything in this life was temporary. And he now had so much more to lose….“

Such is the plight of Tommy Llewellyn in How To Be Remembered, by Michael Thompson, my last read of 2023. A book I only heard about a couple of weeks ago and knew I had to try.

We meet Tommy during his first birthday. He is fawned over by his adoring parents, despite arriving earlier in their “plan” than anticipated. Yet, something happens to him every year on January 5th. He ceases to exist in the memories of all who know him. Records of him vanish. Friends, enemies, and employers forget him. It is a lonely, frustrating life with a bizarre secret he cannot share with anyone.

We become more acquainted with Tommy in his early teens. Naturally, his parents gave him up when he was an infant because they didn’t know who he was, so he ends up in a group foster home for orphaned children. Each year, Tommy anticipates the “Reset.” And, each year, he approaches it with a bit more knowledge and new ideas about how to survive it and still attend to his basic needs.

The best thing about Tommy is that he isn’t bitter. Frustrated, yes. Lonely, yes. But not bitter. While people who have so much more treat each other with greed and disdain, Tommy looks for small ways to insure a legacy and outwit the Universe and its cruel curse. He does this through kindness, service, and self improvement, knowing full well that his deeds will never be credited to him.

How To Be Remembered is a unique, fascinating read and very difficult to put down. I could’ve done without some of the language, but it was not enough to prevent me from seeing what happened to Tommy, a sympathetic character in the best sense of the word. I highly recommend this book. You will think about it for a long time, pondering themes like family, friendship, and the imprint we all make throughout our lives on the world around us and on each other.

9.5/10 Stars

Author Video, Fiction, Women's Fiction

*Video* Author Olivia Sparrow discusses the journey she took to write a debut novel (2 min)

Kristie
Used with permission.

You know how there are some people with whom you just automatically connect? That is how I feel about Olivia. Ever since we met online a few weeks ago, ever since I read and loved her book, Secret of the Sassafras, we have been communicating almost daily. She’s a delight and her book is lovely! You can read my review here: https://readwithkristie.com/2023/11/08/secret-of-the-sassafras-by-olivia-sparrow/

Faith, Kindle Unlimited, Series & Collections, Social Media, Suspense, Thriller, Videos by Me, Young Adult

*Video* An audio/visual version of my review of Signs of Life, PLUS an unexpected comment from the author

Kristie

So I posted this version of my review on TikTok and Instagram and a short while ago I received this comment from author Creston Mapes:

THIS. This is why reviews are important to authors. Because they, like all of us, can always use that reminder to KEEP GOING. I just wanted to share that with you. And the book he mentions? I AM IN HERE. It’s fantastic. Go read it!

Christian Fiction, Suspense, Thriller, Young Adult

Signs of Life, by Creston Mapes

Kristie
Available on Kindle Unlimited

“A morbid gloom hung in silence over the courtroom. And it dawned on Deetz—they were all human beings in that place. If they wanted to, they could all relate with one another—about life’s struggles, trials, ups, downs, joys, losses. But somewhere along the line, this one, Rogan Sneed, had chosen to venture outside the norm of what human beings are allowed to do, are supposed to do. Maybe he was insane or bi-polar or mentally ill. Or maybe something like demons really did exist—inside certain human beings. Whatever the case, whatever the reason for this insanity, whatever had caused Rogan Sneed to snap—Deetz found himself at a place he’d never been in his life. Wishing everyone could get along. Wanting peace—within himself and with those around him. Wanting love. Joy. Kindness. Serenity...” from Signs of Life.

This is my second book by Creston Mapes and I’m still trying to process my feelings. Marketed as a “Christian thriller,” author Creston Mapes has a way of getting his stories to wedge their way into your mind without using any graphic language or images. But he does use imagery. And emotions. And deep, personal points of view.

This is the story of three men: a teenage shooter, the detective who interrogates him, and a man who lost his wife in the violent event. The setting is Portland, Oregon and the location of the shooting is Pioneer Square, a place I’ve been to many times, which made this story feel all the more realistic.

The POVs are the detective, Wayne Deetz, and the widower, Tyson Cooper. They are strong characters, but also representatives of many others who were affected that horrific day, May 7, 2018. All fictional, though you forget that as you read.

So what makes it a “Christian thriller?”

Over the course of one year we follow Deetz and Cooper as they try to make sense of this senseless act and reassemble their lives. Because, honestly, how does one move forward from something so terrible? They question everything, reevaluate everything, second guess everything. They grapple with their faith, friendships, guilt, grief, there are thoughts of revenge, forgiveness, compassion, love, renewal, and an attempt to heal. And the reader is completely enveloped, putting everything through our own filters, making us think of such powerful issues like light versus dark, the death penalty, nature versus nurture, life after death, family, and loss.

This is a gripping story which I highly recommend. It will stay with you and, difficult as the subject is, maybe that’s a good thing.

9.5/10 Stars